Air India to ground seventeen aircraft

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Delhi - Air India grounded at least 17 aircraft because of financial problems. The flag carrier of the country cannot afford expenses for spare parts and engines.

Two Boeing 787-8, three Boeing 777, four Airbus A319 and eight Airbus A321 from Air India are currently idle at several airports, India's Minister of Aviation Jayant Sinha told. The reason for it is that the carrier lacks money for spare parts and engines to take the airplanes back into operation.

An attempt to privatize the highly-indebted airline failed in 2018. The government now wants to fund Air India with $330 million and ensure that the parked aircraft can be returned to the active service in a timely manner.

Air India has lost significant market share over the last few years to its competitors from the lucrative areas of the country such as Indigo, Spicejet and Go Air.